Hofstra's Narrow Loss to Delaware21 February 2014 By Abi Giwa

Mihalich

University of Delaware’s Blue Hens on Thursday defeated Hofstra University’s Pride, 81-77, in men’s basketball match played at Mack Sports Center, Hofstra University, New York City. The Blue Hens came from 10-points down, cancelled the Pride’s lead and narrowly won. The Pride missed winning 25 seconds to the final whistle, an effort thwarted by Blue Hens’ Kyle Anderson! “We made mistakes defensively. There were times we scored that we did not get back. We made a lot of mistakes in the defense,” Joe Mihalich, Pride’s coach said at the post game’s conference. The Pride fought for control of the game in the first half, despite fierce contest with the Blue Hens, using long thrusts - a way it got past the Blue Hens’ tight defense. This paid off for the Pride, securing a 10-point lead over the Blue Hens in the first half, with effective curtailing of Blue Hens’ formidable trio of Devon Saddler, Kyle Anderson and Davon Usher. The Pride’s defense forced Saddler into abandoning holding the ball and extensive dribbling in favor of distributing the ball, because the Pride’s defense disallowed him free room to roam. The first half ended with 32-41in favor of the Pride. The Blue Hens resumed the second half with ferocious attack and defensive play. Saddler’s mesmerizing dribbles overwhelmed the Pride’s formation. But the Pride refused to yield. Both teams competed keenly for the ball. The Blue Hens buffered its defense and attack with Harris Barnett. He was all over the pitch like a butterfly against any Pride’s player with the ball. A ding-dong affair ensued. The Pride sought to hold to its lead, and the Blue Hens sought to scuttle Pride’s lead. More fouls – 10 by Pride and 8 by the Blue Hens - resulted from pressure. Resultant free throws enhanced Blue Hens’ effort at leveling the score. The chance came when Anderson scored 2 free throws at 08:13 and the score became 62-62. The arena glowed and game enlivened. Both teams struggled to surpass each other. The Blue Hens exhibited renewed strength in a grit encounter against Pride’s Dion Nesmith, Jordan Allen and Jamall Robinson. Anderson was brought down with the ball by Jordan and ensued free throw gave Blue Hens an edge, before Carl Baptiste sealed Pride’s fate. “It is an irony,” said one reporter to his colleague. “The Pride always wins in the first half, but loses in the second.”